A recent UK survey performed by CTEK suggested that compared with 2020, 80% more vehicles entering the workshop either need recharging, reconditioning, or replacing. Despite this, the survey also found that just 45% of garages perform battery charging as part of their regular maintenance offering. Considering how many critical systems on the car rely on the battery, CTEK Sales Manager Mark Poole said garages need to take this into account: “Battery support is an essential part of all workshop practices. Using battery support in conjunction with any routine service, fault finding or repair, should be carried out not only from a technical safety point of view, but also to maximise workshop efficiency and provide a complementary added value service to the customer.” While Mark recognised that knowledge around the importance of providing battery support is increasing, many garages are still not on board: “Battery support is a vital activity often not fully appreciated for its importance in saving a technician’s time, insuring against costly diagnostic failures and preventing possible costly damage to the ECU.” CTEK’s survey also showed that while 75% of garages charge batteries during maintenance, 70% of mechanics don’t feel they possess sufficient knowledge when it comes to battery support. Mark observed: “If the battery is faulty then there is an opportunity to talk to the customer and recharge the battery, or replace it with a new one. It is added value to the customer if the workshop can give 38 AFTERMARKET FEBRUARY 2024 BATTERIES AND CHARGERS www.aftermarketonline.net the tips and advice that will extend the life of the battery.” Mark added: “It is also interesting to note that a lot of manufacturers have a demand for at least 120 Ampere when a vehicle is undergoing service, and a lot of the new models have a demand for at least 100 Ampere. As a result we are seeing a big demand for our PRO120 product – a fully automatic 120A battery support unit, with incremental voltage power supply. For more information, visit: www.ctek.com/uk/battery-chargers-12v-24v Genuine opportunity HELLA Product and Brand Manager Ian Mattacola has also noted that garages are still not routinely testing batteries: “When offered as a free value-added service, battery testing provides a genuine opportunity for workshops to generate a sale which may not have otherwise been identified. By testing every car that comes into the workshop, garages will generate additional revenue and build long-term customer loyalty. It's a win-win.” Explaining the HELLA battery offering, Ian said: “The range consists of four models; Classic, Premium, Supreme and AGM, catering for everything from passenger car and light commercial vehicles to heavy duty and agricultural vehicles. AGM batteries are the fastest growing replacement battery. Car manufacturers have been using AGM in the vast majority of new cars for some time now, so these vehicles are already filtering down into the aftermarket in big numbers. “The HELLA AGM battery features even higher cyclic PLUG INTO TOMORROW Winter is the time when many car batteries will be on the edge of failing. This means you need to be on top of testing and charging Above: RPPL 1000 jump starter from Ring
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